Childcare service institutions
Canadian childcare service providers and comparison
1、 Types and characteristics of custodial institutions
Daycare (Day Care Center)
Target audience: Children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old, covering infants to pre-school age.
Service content: full-time trusteeship, including meals (breakfast, lunch, Dim sum), daily care, social skills training and early education (such as math, language enlightenment).
Advantages: Flexible scale (including chain institutions and small private institutions), accommodating children with special needs, providing 24/7 services (usually open from 7:00-18:00).
Family Day Home
Target audience: Children aged 0-12, with a maximum capacity of 6 children per session.
Service content: Provide personalized care in private residences, including meals and basic activities.
Category:
Licensed: subject to government supervision, parents can apply for subsidies.
Unlicensed: Relying on word-of-mouth, with lower costs but no subsidies.
Preschool/Kindergarten
Target audience: Children aged 3-6, with a focus on school preparation.
Service content: Half day teaching (morning or afternoon classes), focusing on knowledge learning (such as Montessori courses) and habit cultivation, no meals provided.
Cost: Local residents are charged free or at a low price, while international students are required to pay tuition fees (approximately CAD 13000 per year).
After-school care service
Service target: Primary and secondary school students, solving the "3:30 problem".
Operation mode: Led by the government and operated by the school district, providing academic tutoring, interest activities, and guidance on healthy living.
2、 Service comparison and fees
Daycare Family Day Home Preschool after-school care project
Age range: 6 weeks -5 years 0-12 years 3-6 years 5-12 years
Time arrangement: Full time, Full time, Half day, After school period
Meal provision includes but does not include partial provision
Average monthly fee (CAD) for infant classes: 1100-1250; Preschool class: 1035-1140; Large class: 800-1000 700-1200 (lower without license) Local free or low-priced government subsidies mainly
3、 Application process and precautions
Material preparation
Proof of identity (parents and children), proof of residence (such as utility bills), proof of work/study.
Children with special needs need to provide a medical assessment report.
Suggestions for on-site inspection
Institutional qualifications: Confirm that Daycare holds a government license, and Preschool needs to check course certification.
Hygiene and safety: Check kitchen hygiene (if there are meals), activity space safety, and teacher-student ratio.
Subsidy policy
Each province provides childcare subsidies (such as Ontario's "Child Care Fee Subsidy"), which must be applied for based on household income.
4、 Choose Suggestions
Dual income families: prioritize daycare or after-school care to ensure 24/7 care.
Personalized needs: Family style daycare is suitable for families seeking flexible services, but caution should be exercised when choosing licensed institutions.
Academic preparation: Preschool/Kindergarten is suitable for families who focus on early education, and it is recommended to combine Montessori and other characteristic courses.
Tip: It is recommended to queue up for popular institutions 6-12 months in advance and regularly participate in open days to stay updated on the latest developments